Rafael Nadal’s 6-4, 6-0 victory over David Goffin at the Barcelona Open on Saturday marks his 400th career clay-court win. He has won 44 consecutive sets on the surface, extending his own record.
Only three players in the history of tennis have earned more wins on the surface than Rafa. They are Guillermo Vilas (659-162), Manuel Orantes (502-150) and Thomas Muster (422-127). With a record of 400-35, Rafa has the best ever winning percentage on the surface. He has won a record 54 titles on the dirt.
After the match, Rafa said:
He started off brilliant, breaking me. But after the first break I think I’ve played good tennis.
Little by little, I’ve been raising the intensity to play my best match of the tournament against one of the strongest rivals.
Alex Caparros/Getty Images
GRAF4893. BARCELONA, 28/04/2018.- El tenista español Rafa Nadal, ante el tenista belga David Goffin en la semifinal del Open BancSabadell-Trofeo Conde de Godó disputado esta tarde en las pistas del RCT Barcelona. EFE/Alejandro García
Spain’s Rafael Nadal reacts as he beats Belgium’s David Goffin during their Barcelona Open ATP tournament semi-final tennis match in Barcelona on April 28, 2018. (Photo by Josep LAGO / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOSEP LAGO/AFP/Getty Images)
Alex Caparros/Getty Images
Alex Caparros/Getty Images
Alex Caparros/Getty Images
Alex Caparros/Getty Images
Alex Caparros/Getty Images
Alex Caparros/Getty Images
BARCELONA, SPAIN – APRIL 28: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his match against David Goffin of Belgium during day sixth of the ATP Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona on April 28, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN – APRIL 28: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates his victory after his match against David Goffin of Belgium during day sixth of the ATP Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona on April 27, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN – APRIL 28: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates his victory after his match against David Goffin of Belgium during day sixth of the ATP Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona on April 27, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after beating Belgium’s David Goffin during their Barcelona Open ATP tournament semi-final tennis match in Barcelona on April 28, 2018. (Photo by Josep LAGO / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOSEP LAGO/AFP/Getty Images)
Alex Caparros/Getty Images
BARCELONA, SPAIN – APRIL 28: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates his victory after his match against David Goffin of Belgium during day sixth of the ATP Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona on April 27, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates winning his semifinal match against Belgium’s David Goffin in two sets 6-4, 6-0, during the Barcelona Open Tennis Tournament in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, April 28, 2018. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
BARCELONA, SPAIN – APRIL 28: Rafael Nadal of Spain looks on after his win against David Goffin of Belgium during day sixth of the ATP Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona on April 28, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Rafa slipped a break down at 0-2 to fourth seed Goffin in the first set but that was the only blip on his afternoon. Goffin saved two match points in the sixth game of the second set but a weary forehand went long on the third and Rafa celebrated with fists punched to the sky.
The world No. 1 will face Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final after the 19-year-old became the first Greek to reach an ATP World Tour final since Nicholas Kalogeropoulos in 1973.
Rafa, who will be playing in his 113th career final, won the Barcelona title in 2005-09, 2011-13 and 2016-17.
Sunday’s final will be the second of the season for Rafa as he primes his clay-court game for Roland Garros in a month.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
Best of luck in the final sweetie 🙂 🙂
Vamos 🙂 🙂 👍👍
Rafa so jolly well done, and I trust for all the best for your final match today.
Love and prayers,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX
An amazing performance , it looked like being broken in the first game energised him and increased his intensity. The second set was almost perfect .
Great to see him playing so well and heathy . Long may it continue .
Here’s to an 11th title in Barcelona.🍀🎾
A huge congrats sweet Rafa 😍👏🏻 You’re playing amazingly. – The best of luck in the final tomorrow 😘🍀
VAMOS CHAMP 🎾💪🏼😃
Well played good job
Vamos Rafalito!
So happy for you-congrats. 400 clay wins-we are mesmerized, Rafael.😱🤗💪👏👍👊❣️🙏🏻Barcelonians are so lucky to witness your play!
Vamos Rafa
Amazing match Rafa <3
BAGEL & SALASA ON THE MENU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS SWEETHEART & CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SHARP FANTASTIC VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) 🙂 ; ) : ) : ) IT WAS A FAST & EXCITING MATCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) ; ) : ) : ) ENJOY EVERYTHING & HAVE LOTS OF FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) WE LOVE YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) HAVE A BEAUTIFUL TIME TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) XOXOXOXOXOXO
Fantastic result today and the best if luck in the final Rafa
Rafa como siempre…bueno ahora estas jugando aùn mejor k siempre…te has elevado a un nivel increible…suerte para mñn….
CONGRATZ Rafa….
RAFA ROCKS